Half of the Inkster police officers will lose their jobs in one month under the current budget

INKSTER, Mich. (WXYZ) - As it stands now half of the officers from the Inkster Police Department will lose their jobs in one month. 

Inkster City Council approved a budget Thursday night that cuts $2 million dollars from the public safety budget.  That means big layoffs for the department.

“There will be a number of officers laid off under this budget,” said Inkster Mayor Hilliard Hampton.

But the mayor would not say how many officers would be laid off, and even said he was hopeful there would be no layoffs.

“Now that’s contingent up on the negotiation falling down between the city of Inkster and the police department.  It’s our hope there won’t there to be any layoffs,” said Mayor Hampton.

But according to City Councilman Timothy Williams, the budget council approved will the budget that will be sent to the state.

“It is finalized for now,” said City Councilman Williams. “It’s finalized for what we have to send to the state,” he said.

According to the police union that means 21 police officers will be getting pink slips within the next week.  The department will be cut in half by June 30.  It could mean slower response times for citizens calling 911.

“I believe that there is a chance it could be slower. It all depends on how much is going on any particular day.  But they still will be able to get the police when they call the police,” said Inkster Police Chief Hilton Napolean.

The city is looking to contract with other cities and counties like the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, but so far they have said they do not have anyone lined up. 

The police union said that it offered concessions to the city and they are still waiting to see if the city will accept the concessions. The city has the ability to accept the concessions and change the budget before the end of June.